Airport workers threaten Ben-Gurion strike on Shabbat

The Israel Airports Authority's workers union declared a strike Tuesday that will completely shut down Ben-Gurion International Airport on Saturday.

The union is threatening the strike after Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri sought to collect money from the Airport Authority, despite the prime minister's previous pledge not to do so.

"This is an attempt to make a political grab before the upcoming municipal elections," said Pinhas Idan, chairman of the workers' union. "If the initiative is implemented, thousands of workers and millions of passengers will pay a price with service and safety compromised."